14 DIY Badass Weapons That Can Save Your Life When SHTF [2nd Edition]

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Want to make some awesome badass weapons? When SHTF, you'll need a way to protect yourself. And no arsenal is complete without these DIY homemade survival weapons.

Although these weapons are homemade, they are reliable when emergency circumstances arise. We can never be sure that we are safe or complacent about our security so it's better to be protected than sorry.

We all know that purchasing a weapon can cost a lot of hard-earned money. Fortunately, you can make your own brutal weapons without breaking the bank. Check out the updated list of 14 badass weapons you can make at home.

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Please read our full disclaimer here*

14 Badass Weapons You Can Make at Home

Weapons, though very useful, are also a lot of fun – especially when you can make them yourself. These weapons may not defeat a whole gang of thieves but they'll for sure come in handy when you need them in a jiffy.

With these DIY weapons, you'll not only have some protection but it is also a fun project to do. Below is a list of awesome and badass weapons that you will keep you armed and ready for extreme survival situations.

It's now updated with a total of 14 weapons you can make at home!

1. PVC Pipe Compound Bow

This is a good project for anyone who wants to get into archery with a compound bow but doesn't want to pay for such an expensive item. Once you've made it, you can learn about how these types of bows work and gain experience working with this class of weapons.

Anyone can do it if you have some patience and are willing to try. Check out these step-by-step instructions on how to make a compound bow from inexpensive, readily available materials.

2. Homemade Pepper Spray

Pepper sprays are for everyone: they're easy to carry, and they can protect you when SHTF. Just spray an attacker in the face and escape the situation instantly. This homemade self-defense weapon is easy to make.

Homemade Pepper Spray | 14 DIY Badass Weapons That Can Save Your Life When SHTF [2nd Edition]

This pepper spray is one of my personal favorites, check it out from the online store.

3. Multifunction Pocket Tool

If you're looking for a more convenient homemade weapon, then you need one of these bad boys. Other than being a weapon, it also has a lot of uses that can help you with your everyday tasks.

You can easily make and customize these DIY pocket tools to fit your specific needs. Check out the instructions and other options here.

4. Pump Action Rocket Gun

This inexpensive gun is a fun project and a useful item to have around. The DIY is very simple and relatively cheap as well.  The entire project, including a bunch of ammo, could easily be made for around $20.

5. Homemade Taser Gun

When planning for self-defense, some people will purchase a taser gun or a stun gun. But did you know that you can make your own? Learn more about these homemade taser guns and their step-by-step instructions here.

6. Primitive Club Tool

If stuck in the wilderness with limited resources, knowing how to make this tool could save your life. This simple technique will quickly transform a few simple items into a very useful weapon and tool. Just like our ancestors did in the Stone Age! Check out the instructions here.

7. Homemade Bolt Action 12 Gauge

This is my favorite weapon on this list: A homemade bolt action 12 gauge. You can just imagine the power that this awesome weapon is packing! Although you can't take it everywhere (thank you Bir Brother), this weapon is very reliable and can protect you from attackers or home intruders–especially when SHTF.

Check out the full tutorial and details on how to make this kickass weapon My air rifle of choice does not need to be registered and never runs out of ammo. 

8. War Hammer

Other war hammer designs may be a bit more difficult to make because they require you to weld, drill, and file. This is one of the easier homemade weapons, and you need nothing more than a black pipe.

War Hammer | 14 DIY Badass Weapons That Can Save Your Life When SHTF [2nd Edition]

It's a simple design, and the name says it all. Don't underestimate the power of the war hammer! Click here for the War Hammer video instructions.

9. Saw Blade Tomahawk

As you can probably tell already, this is one unique homemade weapon. The name leaves little to the imagination when it comes to what this thing is made to do.

Saw Blade Tomahawk | 14 DIY Badass Weapons That Can Save Your Life When SHTF [2nd Edition]

This saw blade Tomahawk is inexpensive to make if you have the right equipment.

10. Flamethrower

This particular flamethrower is made to fit in a normal backpack. With an air compressor, a diesel nozzle, a fuel tank, a hose, and some fittings, you’ll have a flamethrower! What I love about this homemade flamethrower is it can run on tiki torch fuel. We recommend grabbing this one from Amazon.

11. Trebuchet

This classic weapon is brought to another level with this DIY project. This giant trebuchet has an equally giant amount of power, making it capable of catapulting things with immense force.

Trebuchet | 14 DIY Badass Weapons That Can Save Your Life When SHTF [2nd Edition]

Click here for the instructions on how to make a homemade trebuchet.

12. Homemade Landmine

Who knew an old lunchbox could become a weapon? You can use airsoft pellets for this. But since you're making a landmine, be very, very careful.

You might be making this one for fun but things can go badly for you and other people if you're not careful enough. Click here for instructions on making this homemade landmine.

13. Death Ray

Have an old television around? You can turn it into something way cooler with just a few steps. With some simple disassembling, you can have 2000 degrees of heat to use for cooking, water sanitation, or just to burn things. Read up on how to turn an old TV screen into a giant death ray! Find our step-by-step instructions here!

14. Pipe Gun

This is another classic homemade weapon–with a twist.

In today's world, you can never be too sure that you are safe. Danger lurks in every street corner, every dark alley… even the comfort of your own home. Having some badass weapons to protect you is absolutely advantageous.

You don't need to spend tons of cash to get one. All you need is a bit of ingenuity and some DIY skills and you'll come up with a weapon that can protect both you and your family.

Badass Weapons | 14 DIY Badass Weapons That Can Save Your Life When SHTF [2nd Edition]

For unique weapons from around the world you may have never heard of, check out this article. Find out how to use your homemade weapons from our article on How To Use Improvised Weapons!

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Disclaimer: All content on this site is for informational purposes only. Please read our full disclaimer here.

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on November 25, 2016, and has been updated for quality and relevancy.

52 Responses to :
14 DIY Badass Weapons That Can Save Your Life When SHTF [2nd Edition]

  1. TripodXL says:

    Well, All I can say is that if you have to make these things to have weapons; one, you live in the northeast or the left coast, and two you’re screwed. Now, having said that, everyone SHOULD have the knowledge of how to build these things. So from that POV, I see the point, but otherwise, you should live somewhere you can have these weapons to begin with. IMO, be well.

    1. Dallas Burnworth says:

      True, but the Left Coast will be the first to revolt over the northeast. Lots of libtards over here, but we all need our space. We can’t go any further West! The Northwest especially is a distillation of polar opposites where there are high amounts of extreme socialists living among an almost equal number of fearless conservatives. Who will win?

      1. Anonymous says:

        Oh, I’ve got a pretty good idea who’ll win…. right now. But given enough time the ‘tards will regulate their balls off and they won’t stand a chance against the “state”.

        1. Keith Hammond says:

          We have the most guns and the never to be under-estimated power of Redneck destruction prowess. We like blowin’ stuff up down In my neck of the woods. I would just as soon blow stuff in Lib-tard land.

          1. Keith Hammond says:

            Plus, you can make a pretty bad-ass flamethrower with a can of Raid and a lighter. Also, a blow gun that shoots poison darts with pipe, nails and some masking tape. And you can’t beat an old lawnmower blade and duct tape for a bludgeoning weapon.

  2. Richard W. Gibson says:

    I always receive some of the best info. Thank you survival life.

    1. Stephanie says:

      Thanks!

  3. Phil says:

    The only three things on this list that were actually weapons were the bow, the stun gun and the club. The rocket gun was cool, and I certainly wouldn’t want to get shot by it, but I highly doubt that it would make an effective anti-personnel weapon unless you gave the rockets some kinda warhead. And even then they don’t look big enough to carry a substantial load and still remain accurate over any real distance.
    The others were more like science projects. Maybe I’ll help my niece make the mini-cannon for her science fair.

    1. John G says:

      I agree with you. I liked the bow, the rocket gun is cool, if the rockets were made better and a sharp point or maybe and arrowhead.

  4. Lori Linde says:

    Wish you guys would put up written instructions as well as videos. May need these instructions when TSHTF.

    1. Lee says:

      These look like fun projects!

    2. Lee says:

      I agree with Lori L.

    3. Anonymous says:

      Agreed! Especially that I’m deaf.

  5. Al Digaetano says:

    Always very helpfull
    Thanks

  6. Retired Engineer says:

    Meh! You want useful weapons? Here you go: #1. Get a cheap 8″ to 12″ chef’s knife and a length of PVC pipe that the handle of the knife will fit into. Inset the handle into the pipe. Secure by drilling a hole through both and fix with a bolt, 2 washers & a nut.
    To make a tiger spear (prevents large animals from running up the shaft), use a 4 way coupler and insert the knife in the end and two 6″ pieces of PVC in the 90 degree openings. Glue with PVC glue.

    #2. Blowgun. Find narrow diameter PVC or other stiff plastic pipe, cut to between 4′ and 8′ depending on stiffness. Darts: Buy bamboo skewers (usually in 50 or 100 pack). Sharpen the points with fine sandpaper and then make the “fletching” from cotton balls. Secure with a dab of white glue. Better darts: purchase large sewing needles, about 4″ or longer. Break the eye with a needle nose pliers and create the fletching as above; the broken eye will hold the fletching better than an unbroken one.

    Both darts will take small birds and vermin, almost silently.

    1. Retired Engineer says:

      Roll the fletching on so it looks like the end of a Q-tip. Not too hard and not too soft. Only have a little glue at the end that goes toward the point of the dart.

    2. matt says:

      Hell I’ll do that to. I’ve got time on my hands…lol

    3. Keith Hammond says:

      That sounds much better than my blow gun!

  7. curtis berns says:

    always learn something every time i am here thanks

  8. matt says:

    I love these weapons. They’re awesome. I live in Az. MAYBE THE SUN GOT TO ME BUT i’M GONNA BUILD A FEW. I don’t really need them. But the knowledge to do so is preferable.

  9. ARNOLD CARL TAPP says:

    >>> THE DART GUN WOULD BE MUCH MORE EFFECTIVE AS A LARGE STRAW BLOWGUN .

  10. Greg says:

    yes take two wooden drumsticks, and nylon packing tape and tape both sticks together, begin around then bottom (make sure they’re even) keep the tips of the sticks exposed, but tape the opposite end, begin with a 10″ strip of tape and start two inches from one side, then lap over the bottom of the sticks and continue until one inch below the tip, then do the same but on the opposite side. then take a 6″ strip and tape around the middle, then tape another about one inch below the tip.
    After that’s done file the ends of the tip to a point. There you have it!

    Very useful for wielding in a fight, and using the ends to jab.

  11. Dale Maher says:

    yo dale lisen ye are u sat down ye

  12. Bruce Ruttan says:

    Who can’t simply buy a bow or 12 ga. pump. If the SHTF and you are without all your stuff you might consider stealing it from your oppressors. Such liberated stuff is much cooler that this.

    1. dman51 says:

      That this??? Your finger couldn’t be that far off to hit the “T” instead of the “N”,there is like 2″ between those letters. If the keys were next to each other……

      1. Polo Loko says:

        Get a life pleb. Go lose your virginity instead of correcting people online ass hat.

  13. Larry Myslinski says:

    I’m always looking, Molon Labe’.

  14. Mary Stimek says:

    You forgot the Super Soaker filled with Muriatic Acid; which is available at any pool supply store. The acid is stored in plastic jugs so it will not harm the plastic toy.

    1. Anonymous says:

      Oooooooooooooo! I really like that idea. When I lived in AZ I found that muratic acid worked in many assorted… situations. Caution had to be used of course but, I’d never thought of using it in a super soaker. Will remember this 1.

  15. squawneye says:

    A simple weapon that can be used to induce serious nausea in an attacker is to show a photograph of Hillary Clinton at them. This can be printed out easily on your home computer/printer.

    1. survingjerry says:

      First problem, it only works on conservatives. Liberals will want to sit down and cry, which would, at least stop then from attacking you.
      Second problem, it is an indiscriminate weapon. If you happen to look at it while deploying, you’ll be throwing up, too.

      1. squawneye says:

        Same as pointing a loaded gun at yourself.

  16. PRINCE4EVER O(-> says:

    How do you close this annoying free weapon pop-up ad? Click no does not work!

    1. Barry Daniel says:

      you have to look at hillarys picture lol

  17. Robert William Weatherby says:

    yes im sure that bb pellet “landmine” will scare away all the bad guys once it goes off

    1. Brad W says:

      I sense a lil sarcasm there.. it would be like getting hit with two 12 gauge shells and would do much damage to the unlucky person(s) that gets too close and steps on it

      1. TM says:

        You can’t be serious. Have you even seen what a 12 gauge can do? This little toy will in no way come close to the lethality of one let alone two 12 gauge blasts. I doubt that the rat traps have enough power to propel the shot with enough force to break skin. Whle it may surprise an intruder that’s the best one could hope for with this.

  18. Ronald Ray says:

    Just signed in give a minute to check things out!

  19. Anonymous says:

    I am skeptical on the multi-tool.. didn’t click on it but I figured it was a good way for some company to get your address, email and phone number. It could very well be legit though.. I’m sure they would charge 5-6 bucks for shipping and then you will get non stop calls/emails and junk mail along with it.

    1. Anonymous says:

      have any of yall made these there real easy

    2. NOT ME says:

      Many of these “FREE” tools/items signs you up for some type of “Monthly Subscription” that you did not know you were signing up for until you find your account being charged each month and most of the “Stuff” you get . . .

  20. John Burnett says:

    You may be a great office team but you are also a sad lot in your life style if you think weapons are necessary.. Include me out as Sam Goldwyn would say

    1. Anonymous says:

      I’m gonna guess you don’t own a gun.

      1. Barry Daniel says:

        well brother ,when the shtf for real if you dont have a good stout weapon to fend of the boogy man you had better invest in a damn good pair of running shoes!!!

  21. They didn’t tell how to make the stun grenade.
    I feel cheated.

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